AI Generated Image
What forecasters expect this hurricane season, as Tropical Storm Bertha edges along
NPR • • nation
Key Points:
- Tropical Storm Bertha is expected to impact the northern Gulf Coast with up to four feet of storm surge and sustained winds of 50 mph, though it is not forecasted to become a hurricane.
- Despite predictions of fewer storms in the 2026 Atlantic hurricane season due to a strong El Niño, unusually warm Gulf and Atlantic waters increase the risk of stronger and more destructive storms.
- Experts note that warmer sea surface temperatures act as fuel for storms, contributing to a rise in the frequency of powerful category 4 and 5 hurricanes over the past 30 years.
- Officials advise residents to prepare by making evacuation plans, checking insurance coverage and deductibles, and documenting valuables to ensure readiness for potential hurricane damage.
- The National Hurricane Center emphasizes that the 2026 hurricane season should be taken seriously, as El Niño may reduce storm numbers but not the potential severity of individual storms.
